Study in IHS, Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam

At IHS, our work is grounded in the cross-fertilisation of three core activities: education, advisory services, and applied research. Our experts actively engage with diverse urban contexts across the globe, bringing first-hand knowledge and practical experience into the classroom. This unique positioning enables IHS to bridge theory and practice, creating a learning environment that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to address complex urban challenges.

Education is at the heart of this integrated approach. Our programmes combine academic foundations with practical, context-sensitive learning, drawing on insights from ongoing projects, advisory engagements, and research. Students benefit from direct engagement with experienced practitioners and academics, as well as opportunities to connect urban theory with real-world challenges and develop solutions that are relevant across different contexts.

At the centre of our educational offering is our flagship MSc programme. The MSc in Urban Management & Development is evolving into the MSc in Global Urban Change, reflecting IHS’s commitment to preparing a new generation of urban professionals to understand and respond to rapidly changing urban realities. The programme brings together interdisciplinary knowledge, practical skills, and global perspectives, enabling students to critically engage with the social, spatial, environmental, and economic dimensions of urban change.

This educational offer is further enriched by IHS’s transdisciplinary academic clusters, which connect expertise across thematic areas and strengthen opportunities for interdisciplinary learning. Together, our programmes, professional expertise, and global engagement provide students with a distinctive learning experience focused on understanding urban change and translating knowledge into meaningful action.